Promising start for Mazda in opening round of Gran Turismo World Series in London

The Mazda Motor Corporation took part in the opening round of the eighth season of the Gran Turismo World Series (GTWS), held last weekend at the iconic BBC Television Centre in London.

The GTWS is a premier annual international eSports championship for Gran Turismo, a series of driving simulation games developed by Polyphony Digital for the PlayStation® consoles, released by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

The GTWS features the world’s top drivers in two headline competitions: the Nations Cup and the Manufacturers Cup. It is widely followed by fans around the world and has become one of the most popular racing eSports series globally.

The series begins with open online qualifiers and moves on to live events hosted in major cities around the world. The 2025 season started in London in June and will continue in Berlin (September), Los Angeles (November), and conclude with the World Finals in Fukuoka, Japan, in December.

As in previous years, Mazda is participating in the GTWS both as an official partner and as a competing manufacturer in the Manufacturers Cup.

Its involvement is led by Mazda Spirit Racing; the company’s dedicated motorsport brand launched in 2021 to reflect Mazda’s commitment to racing performance and driving passion.

Mazda Spirit Racing serves as the foundation for Mazda’s motorsport activities, including both real-world racing—such as Japan’s Super Taikyu Series—and virtual competition in the GTWS.

At the London event, Mazda competed with a team in the Manufacturers Cup, which brought together the top 12 drivers from the Asia-Oceania region who qualified through the Online Qualifiers.

Representing Team Mazda, Ryota Kokubun delivered an impressive drive in the RX-Vision GT3 Concept, securing third place and earning four championship points.

Beyond the competition, visitors to the event enjoyed a celebration of Mazda’s automotive heritage. In the outdoor fan zone, Mazda Motors UK showcased a classic third-generation RX-7 and the latest CX-30—both of which are featured as drivable cars in the Gran Turismo game.